Koros45 doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (or Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V)

Kindred Spirits Pt. II

Chapter 54: Card of the Soul

There was so much to be done to finish the latest Archetype that was pending to drop in the next two months and the administrator found she was frustrated by all the stipulations. The artist was only free next Tuesday for a meeting and the focus group had yet to agree on how many members the Archetype should have for the first set of members. It was very irritating for Hikaru Fudo, who closed the string of E-mails on her holoscreen with a sigh.

The afternoon was still young and there would be time to go through the effects she'd already written out later. For now there was a family matter to attend to.

Mrs. Fudo looked around for her spouse and exited her own workspace – a cramped office with a chestnut work-desk, covered in half-finished doodles and potential card designs. She picked up her empty coffee mug and set it on the nearby kitchen counter a room away as she entered the family living room. The woman strode past a picture of her and her husband with their son – a stoic looking ten-year old in the image.

"Dear, are you busy? The Council's report just came in on your Momentum project and -"

The brunette haired woman's voice hung in the air as she stopped, turning to find her husband still dressed in his long lab coat, white coattails practically scraping the ground as the man's head of upward black hair was turned away from her, engrossed in a recording of a Riding Duel.

"Oh, is that Yusei on the screen?" The woman asked, walking towards the man and gasping when she laid her eyes on her son's opponent.

"Not just Yusei. Dear, I can't explain this, but this phenomenon may be just what our son needs to master this next step in his Momentum research. While it may not be the direction I thought he'd take, I look forward to seeing what the result of this duel will bring to our city." The man said, putting a hand on his wife's shoulder.

"Is this direct feed to our house?" Mrs. Fudo asked.

"Ah." Her husband confirmed. "This is coming from Yusei's D-Wheel. He's using his own connections to jam any cameras watching the duel. Look – he's even blurred out the opponent's face from any outside viewers. All they were able to see was the very beginning of the Duel and then this monster that he Summoned. Apparently the Summon caused all of his instruments to reset, so that accounted for me detecting it."

"And the other man's face-" Professor Fudo said. "It may be censored by the cameras, but the D-Wheel . . . the clothes. . . either this is an impostor or we had an identical twin we weren't aware of." The man said.

Hikaru blinked as she scanned the text on the latest card that her son had played. "My dear. Look at that. . . . an Accel Synchro Monster? . . . That's a new kind of Synchro Summon-! Don't tell me he figured out a new type of summon just by giving my Synchro Tuner a test run?" Ms. Fudo asked.

"I told you he inherited your affinity for Duel Monsters." Mr. Fudo said, lightly elbowing her. "In any case let's watch this duel. I'm sure our son's learning more than he realizes at the moment." The professor said.

Mrs. Fudo elbowed him back before she turned on the audio and gave her husband a smile. "And let's make sure we're learning too!" She said, eyes glued to the new monster that her son had summoned.

"Stardust Warrior, huh? Well Yusei, show me what this new evolution of yours can do."

/

Stardust Warrior's arrival on the field was still fresh in Yusei's mind. He looked ahead at the Accel Synchro monster hovering in the sky, wings spread majestically even as it radiated power and was ready to strike, one fist clenched while the other was open, ready to act (10/3000/2500).

"Now that Stardust Warrior is here, your field will be buried by the strongest Synchro Warrior!" The other him declared.

"Stardust . . . Warrior! So, you found a way to evolve your Synchro Summoning?" Yusei asked, looking backwards at his carbon copy.

"That's right! This new monster was born from my resolve to defeat Jack! " The other said, making a fist.

"And what drove you to find such a deep resolve? What happened between you and Jack Atlas?" Yusei asked, looking up at Stardust Warrior.

"I -" The other Yusei began to speak.

/

Two months ago, it had been a regular day for the Fudo household. Dr. Fudo was perfecting an amplifier that would allow D-Wheels to run on Momentum more efficiently. Mrs. Fudo was hard at work designing new cards at the request of an Industrial Illusions chairman. And Yusei Fudo was working himself. Today he was face to face with the King of Duelists himself.

Jack Atlas was at Yusei's place of work to get his personal machine, the Wheel of Fortune, checked for any issues. He had a tournament coming up in a couple of months and didn't want any problems. Due to the reputation of the King, and the chance to further his own family's renown,Yusei agreed to look at the whole D-Wheel in an intensive scan.

Jack stood proudly inside the gleaming white and spotless wait room as his purple eyes glanced at the digital scan on the wall of the large facility. The image of his D-Wheel zoomed out and disassembled into various parts of the machine.

"Ah, look there, King." Yusei said, pointing to a three dimensional model of the engine, the screen centering around the specified part.

"You see the wear on the internal cooling unit? That's a sign the engine could overheat, but since the shape of your D-Wheel is abnormal it's not something an average mechanic would have experience fixing, let alone seeing. Here's a list of the procedures we'll perform to remove the unit and I'll notify storage to get you a replacement." Yusei said, looking to the King with a mixture of his normal stoic glance and some reverence.

"Mr. Fudo." Jack said, addressing Yusei for the first time. "I recognize you from your presentation on Momentum at the Duel Summit last week. I have some questions for you."

"King?" Yusei responded, looking up to Jack. The man's white trench coat hung over him quite fittingly as a ruler's mantle would, accented by his pointed earrings, necklace and belt buckle in the shape of his last initial. Jack knew that he wasn't just a good duelist – he was a sensation, and the man was capitalizing on it as much as the media would allow. It was a bit humbling to be in the man's presence.

"This replacement, how long will it take?" Jack asked, a flicker of impatience in his eyes.

Yusei paused. He didn't want to make Jack grow restless even though some waiting would be involved.

"It should take about ten minutes for the order to process, then ten minutes for the engine to arrive, and then another twenty to replace it and ensure the new part is working properly." Yusei said. "Since this facility is right outside the production plant, we have that tremendous speed on our side."

Jack scoffed. "That's fast, even for a Tops-run place like this. Consider me impressed if you fix my machine in that time."

"Again, I apologize if it takes longer. We want to keep our promise delivering a good product to our clients." Yusei said.

"Well I suppose you're being thorough because of your family's' reputation. You're the best private D-Wheel engineering mechanic in this City. Impressive since your mother has such connections to the card designs of Duel Monsters and your father with the city's energy output."

Yusei gave a slight bow, smiling. "Your presence and words are an honor to my family, King. I will take them to heart and continue to do my best in my work."

"Still." Jack began, a look of curiosity in his eye. "Does the son share his mother's talents in Duel Monsters? I see there's a deck box fastened to your attire. I wonder, will you be a challenge for me?" Jack asked, grinning like a wolf, yet looking at Yusei as though he was child.

"I am a Duelist as well. Of course I'll be glad to take you on, King." Yusei said, surprising himself at his response to Jack's words.

Jack's grin lessened a bit and his gaze intensified, testing him. Yusei couldn't tell what it signified but it made him want to beat Jack handily. He spoke as he led Jack to where their match would take place.

"There's a D-Wheel testing pod system in the next room. We wouldn't be using actual D-Wheels but we could simulate a Riding Duel if you'd like." Yusei offered.

Jack's voice echoed through the mostly vacant room. "Very well then, Yusei! Let's see if you have the skills to take me on!"

The two of them entered the next room – a brightly lit circular room with a red and a blue pod at opposite sides. Each pod was connected to a circular rail that wound around the room – hovering off the ground as they both were connected to the rail in question. The interior was a comfortable seat with a deck holder that, when activated, projected hard light to serve as a duel disk. A thruster system was in the back of the pod, similar to a D-Wheel's engines, and there was the standard D-Wheel display on the screen of the pod.

Jack chuckled, picking the blue pod as he loaded his deck into the slot, the system recognizing him and displaying his name on screen.

JACK ATLAS: 4000

Yusei walked to the red pod, leaping in with a motion he'd done countless times to test the machine. He inserted his own deck and strapped in as his life points were displayed.

YUSEI FUDO: 4000

Jack looked across from Yusei. Yusei wasn't sure what it signified but he felt like Jack was taunting him.

"DUEL!" Both men cried out as the game began.

/

(Insert 5D's OST: Sound Duel 1: Jack Battle)

"At first, I didn't know what to think of Jack, but as the duel progressed, I understood just how strong he is. Most of the people from the Tops make the mistake that he's weak because of where he's from, but that might have been what made him so strong."

It was the third turn. Yusei had assembled quite the field as his Unknown Warrior (5/2100/1600), Steam Warrior (6/2400/2000), and Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force (8/2500/2000) were all in play. He had been able to perform a double Synchro Summon, calling Steam Warrior and Stardust Dragon both appearing on his field at once.

"Jack, you don't have any other monsters my Steam Warrior can destroy with it's effect, so I'll go on the attack!" Yusei said.

"Bring it, Yusei!" Jack urged the other man.

Jack's field only contained one monster – Red Wyvern (6/2400/2000), but he had a few face-down cards. Through the duel, Jack hadn't done much other than summon his Red Wyvern monster.

YUSEI: 3700 / JACK: 4000

Yusei nodded with a smile.

"I thought I had everything set up – Stardust Dragon – my symbol of victory, Unknown Warrior in case something went wrong, ready to spring from my Graveyard if my field got destroyed, and Steam Warrior to weaken his field, I prepared for all possibilities!-"

"I'll attack now!" Yusei said, arcing an arm back as his pod zipped around the wall in a red blur.

"Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force! Attack with Striking Sonic!"

Stardust screeched and flew around the room in a loop before it fired a lance of sonic towards Jack's monster.

"Fool! Red Wyvern's effect - !" Jack countered. "It will destroy the strongest monster in play! So Stardust Dragon is destroyed!"

Red Wyvern's eyes lit up and it began to charge up a blast of fire in it's mouth.

"Not quite! I'll use this quick-play Spell – Negation's Wake! I negate an attack and then if I negated the attack of one of my own monsters, I can draw a card!" Yusei said, doing so as Stardust Dragon stopped moving.

"Still, you'll take the effect of my Wyvern!" Jack interjected.

"In that case, I'll tribute Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force in response to your effect, which will reduce any damage I take this turn by twenty five-hundred points! Salvation Sanctuary!" Yusei exclaimed as his dragon faded away in a haze of stardust.

Then he looked at the card he'd just drawn and grinned.

"Then I continue my Battle Phase! I discard my Rush Warrior to double Steam Warrior's attack points – to forty eight hundred!" Yusei said as Steam Warrior let out a groan and loaded it's steam rifle (6/2400 → 4800/1400).

"Now end this, Steam Warrior! Attack his wyvern and set up Unknown Warrior for a final direct attack! Steam Shoot!"

Steam Warrior fired it's rifle at Jack's Synchro.

Red Wyvern exploded and Jack grunted as he took quite a lot of damage.

JACK: 4000 → 1600

"And now - this will end you! Unknown Warrior, direct attack!" Yusei yelled as his monster leapt forward towards Jack.

"Hmph. Trap card open! Reject Reborn!" Jack declared from his own speeding pod.

"Reject Reborn is a trap card that destroys my monsters, but then ends your Battle Phase! In addition, I can then Special Summon monsters from my Graveyard equal to the number of attacks that were negated this turn! Since you stopped your own Stardust, and I stopped your Steam Warrior's attack with my trap, I can Summon two monsters!" Jack declared.

The blast struck nothingness as the attack was canceled. Then Jack's Dark Resonator and Red Warg re-appeared, the large wolf (6/1400/2200) and the small fiend (3/1300/300) erupting from two bursts of fire.

Yusei was silent for a moment. "Turn end." He said.

Stardust Dragon re-appeared over his field with a howl, joining the two warriors (8/2500/2000).

Then, Steam Warrior's attack points returned to their original value (6/4800 → 2400/1400).

"Even with Jack's field as it was, I felt that my own was as fortified as possible. I expected his next move to be powerful, yet-"

"My turn!" Jack declared, drawing a card.

Turn 4: YUSEI: 4000 / JACK: 1500

"First, Trap Card open! Revival Gift! I'll use it to revive my Red Resonator and summon two tokens to your field!"

Red Resonator appeared (2/600/300) on Jack's field while the two pitch black tokens appeared on the far sides of Yusei's field in defense mode (3/1500/1500 X 2).

"Then I'll use Red Resonator's effect to gain life points equal to your Stardust's attack points!" Jack said, grinning and pumping a fist from within the speeding blue pod as his life points shot up.

(JACK: 1500 → 4000).

"And next, since you control Synchro monsters and I do not, I can special summon my Mirror Resonator from my hand!'" Jack said as another resonator appeared on his field (1/0/0).

"Next, I play this! Red Reborn! So I can revive my Red Wyvern!" Jack yelled, playing a spell card. And in a burst of flames, his Synchro that Yusei destroyed the last turn re-appeared with a hiss (6/2400/2000).

"And now I tune my Red Warg with my Red Resonator!" Jack declared.

Red Resonator chuckled, tuning Red Warg as the two rings brought out the red wolf's six level stars.

"The Heaven and Earth shall tremble before the king's might. Let the power of the one and only supreme ruler be carved into your soul! Synchro Summon! The savage soul, Red Demon's Dragon - Scar-Right!"

From the resounding summon, the horned ace of the King appeared. Red, black, and bearing countless orange scars, the fiend dragon spread it's wings and gazed down at Yusei's red pod (8/3000/2500).

Red Demon's Dragon Scar-Right let out a roar at Yusei's field. Stardust responded in kind and Jack grinned from inside of his pod as Scar-Right roared back again.

"Yusei! It looks like our two dragons want to battle! But before that can happen I'll activate my dragon's effect! Absolute Power Flame!" Jack said.

Red Demon's dragon – Scar-Right raised a blazing fist before slamming it into the side of the circular wall, the impact causing a chain of explosions engulfing the entire field.

"Red Demon's effect will destroy every Special Summoned monster with equal or less attack points to itself!" Jack said as the monsters on his side of the field were consumed by the flames.

"Hold on! I'll use Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force's effect!" Yusei countered. "By sending it to the Graveyard, I can reduce the total amount of damage I'd receive this turn by it's original attack points!"

Once again, Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force shone with light as it's form became spectral as Yusei sent the card on his duel disk to the graveyard.

"Interesting! Now see the result of my dragon's effect!" Jack declared.

The inferno hit his side of the field, engulfing all of his other monsters as well as Jack's own. Seven monsters vanished from the field, leaving only Scar-Right remaining. Yusei roared as his life-points plummeted from the blaze.

(Yusei: 4000 → 500).

Jack looked up to the spectral white and blue Stardust Dragon hovering above Yusei's pod.

"Now see how well you protect your master now, Stardust!" Jack exclaimed, thrusting an arm forwards as Scar-Right roared, diving at Yusei's pod. Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force flew in front, taking the full brunt of the blow, but Red Demon's could not be denied, slamming it's arm into it's target and shattering Stardust as it did so.

"But still, I was crushed by Jack's overwhelming power-!"

Yusei screamed as the remainder of his life-points were depleted to exactly zero. (YUSEI: 500 → 0).

The holograms faded as the duel ended. Both pods slowed down and lowered themselves to the floor in a hiss of steam. Both canopies opened, steam hissing out of them. Jack grinned as he stood up and stepped out of the pod.

"For an engineer, you're skilled at dueling. But as I am by nature a duelist, you are by nature a mechanic. We each have our own roles to play in this society." Jack said.

Yusei picked up his cards and put them away before he looked up to Jack. "Roles?" He asked, trying to hide his frustration at the loss.

"Yes. I play the role of pro-duelist. You play the role of mechanic. We each are the best of our worlds. But in the world of dueling, you are leagues apart from me. It is not something to be ashamed of, Yusei. It is simply the natural order of things." Jack said as he turned to go check on his D-Wheel.

/

The other him finished his story, looking towards the identical man who rode ahead of him. Yusei looked behind him and was silent.

(Insert 5D's OST: Counterattack)

The other Yusei continued speaking. "Jack's words stung me long after the man left. Though my trade is in Momentum and D-Wheel research, my passion for dueling is something I treasure! Due to his words my research stagnated and I became completely devoted to improving my deck! I wanted to prove him wrong. To do that, I was set to participate in the Duel of Friendship Cup! That was my goal, but my parents wanted my assistance with my father's latest project. I had to throw away my dream!. . . Something that stung my soul for a while."

Then the other turned to look up at his new monster.

"But - ! Because of that project, I found my answer! My father's research combined with my own tests of his D-Wheel designs and my mother's own design of a Synchro Tuner opened a new path for me! My resolve to grow stronger as a duelist showed me this power! The power to beat Jack!" The other him finished, making a fist, Stardust Warrior floating imposingly behind him.

"Using the power of Clear Mind for that reason – are you sure that's evolution?" Yusei asked. "If all you want to do is beat Jack to prove you're stronger, than you'll never really beat him. If all you can muster against Jack is power alone than you'll fall to his own sheer force. His pride as the King is not to be taken lightly."

"Enough talk as if you know him - ! Resuming the duel!" The other Yusei announced.

"First I'll use this monster! Halberd Warrior! If I control a Synchro 'Warrior' monster, I can special summon Halberd Warrior from my hand!'

The card the other Yusei had added in his standby phase was now summoned, a lanky warrior with axe blades on it's shoulders and shins. It was entirely robotic, with bare rods for a body and limbs, and an anvil shaped head with a single green mono-eye in the center (2/300/500).

"And now I'll use Halberd Warrior's special ability! I can equip it to a Synchro monster and give that monster five-hundred attack points! Halberd Change!"

The other him cried out as his lanky warrior's very body shifted and the axe blades converged, the entire monster's body transforming into a long handled axe with a double sided axe head, blades connected to the anvil to give the bladed end heft.

Stardust Warrior grabbed the axe and it's attack power marginally increased (10/3000 → 3500/2500).

"Now Halberd Warrior has another effect while equipped! I can destroy a spell or trap you control, then you take five hundred points of damage! Let's see if any of those set cards can stop that!" The other him said.

Stardust Warrior flew a bit higher, and then with the command of "Stardust Tomahawk!" from the other Yusei, hurled the weapon at the set card on Yusei's far left, the twirling axe spinning widely through the air towards the set card.

"Too bad that falls short to Stardust's effect! Victim Sanctuary!' Yusei cried out, extending his fingers and waving an arm out as his dragon flew towards the speeding axe.

His Stardust Dragon turned into a haze of glittering light which crashed into the spinning halberd and dispersed, caused the weapon to shatter in an explosion. It's card followed suit, and Stardust Warrior's attack power fell back to normal with the loss of its weapon (10/3500 → 3000/2500).

"By tributing my Stardust Dragon, I can negate a card's effect that would destroy another card or cards – and destroy it!" Yusei said as he slid his dragon into the graveyard.

"Well in that case, I'll just have to annihilate your Nitro Warrior and wipe you out." The other him said matter-of factually.

He looked to his hand, now consisting of three cards.

"I'll use this spell card, Synchro Drive! This lets me give the attack points of a fallen Synchro monster to one I control on the field until the End Phase! So I'll give Stardust Warrior the attack points of Hyper Warrior!"

The spell card – perhaps meaningfully, showed Hyper Warrior powering up as the spirit of Unknown Warrior lingered behind it. However now Hyper Warrior's spirit flowed into Stardust Warrior, the level ten Synchro flexing backwards as it's form gained twice it's regular attack power (10/3000 → 6000/2500).

"This is my strongest attack! With this overwhelming attack strength, I'll beat Jack and prove that I have a place in this world as a true duelist!" The other Yusei declared. "Now - you only have Nitro Warrior and your set monster, so Stardust Warrior, rid the field of Nitro Warrior and end this! Stardust Fist!" His other yelled.

Stardust Warrior raised a shining white-hot fist into the air as it's wings and body erupted with a blue aura that surged violently. The Synchro Warrior then leaned forward as it brought an arm back to swing a devastating punch at Nitro Warrior.

"I'm not out of this duel just yet!" Yusei said as one of his traps sprang up.

The fist swung at Nitro Warrior, who vanished into a single level ring that blocked the fist's impact. Then a green barrier formed around Yusei's D-Wheel, blocking the shockwave of blue that ensued just from the force of Stardust Warrior's swing.

"The trap card, Synchro Barrier! I release a Synchro monster and then I take no more damage for the turn!" Yusei explained as the energy from Stardust Warrior's punch flowed around him, Yusei driving unscathed through the wake of the attack.

"In that case, Stardust Warrior will redirect it's attack since you removed it's original target from the field! Stardust Fist!" His other commanded.

The Accel Synchro monster gave a grunt as it slammed it's second fist into the set monster, shattering Damage Eater and breaking apart the thin, yellow, screaming fiend.

"Your Synchro Barrier trap card may have protected you from Synchro Drive's piercing damage, but you're still cornered. And with that, I'll go to my End Phase." The other Yusei said. (End OST)

(Insert 5D's OST: Sound Duel 4: Looming Threat)

"Right!" Yusei responded, holding up Stardust Dragon's card. "Meaning Stardust Dragon can be Special Summoned!"

"Be resurrected, Stardust Dragon!" Yusei played the card on the duel disk and his dragon was at his side, roaring with pride and glowing white as he emerged from the Graveyard (8/2500/2000).

"In response to that Special Summon, Stardust Warrior's effect activates! - Summon Sanctions!" His other said, discarding his Accel Synchro to the Graveyard.

Stardust Dragon's body still shimmered with bright white light, not fully Summoned yet from the Graveyard. A rush of similar white particles and Yusei saw that Stardust Warrior had taken on the same sheen, as though it was still emerging from a summoning. The Accel Synchro monster's body glistened as it flew behind Stardust Dragon and grabbed it's tail with both hands, swinging around the slender dragon. Yusei's former Signer dragon let out a roar of pain and surprise as it was slammed on the highway, shattering into particles of light as it was destroyed.

Yusei was speechless. The Accel Synchro monster in front of him stood hunched over imposingly before it gradually vanished from its feet upwards fading into stardust and the other Yusei smiled at him from the monitor's view screen.

"I figured if my Stardust Dragon had a revival effect, yours would too. Stardust Warrior's effect: By tributing it, I can negate a Special Summon and destroy it. And since your Stardust Dragon's protection effect only applies to when it's on the field, I could negate it's revival summon before it's own protection ability could come into play!"

Yusei found he was vexed. His most reliable Synchro had been destroyed as simply as that. Specifically a monster designed not to be destroyed was beaten by a destruction effect nonetheless. Now his field lacked any monsters to protect it.

He lowered Stardust Dragon's card to send it off to the Graveyard, the sting of his precious monster's destruction still fresh. Now Stardust would join all of his Synchro Warriors, all destroyed in various fashions. The white card slid into the slot, covering up Synchro Barrier's card art. Completely deprived of monsters, now Yusei was alone.

"Now you are completely out of options. You have only those two set cards on your field and one card in your hand. Nothing to create anything miraculous to reach my height at the Tops. At the End Phase of the turn of course, Stardust Warrior will be Special Summoned. You see now, no matter how strong the bonds you can create are, that won't matter if I stamp them out before they come to fruition." The other him said.

Yusei looked to his set cards and narrowed his eyes as he still had to do something before the turn ended completely. Jack would tell him to keep going at full power if he were here. But for a moment, Yusei wasn't sure what he himself could do.

"I proceed to the End Phase - to Special Summon Stardust Warrior!" The other him declared, pulling the Accel Synchro monster from his Graveyard.

Wait. The End Phase! Yusei thought back to all of his Warriors, one of which last left the field due to the effect of Synchro Barrier.

Yusei glanced to one of the set cards and suddenly a window to his next turn opened up in his mind.

The cards he'd sent to the Graveyard to save himself earlier would wind up saving him a second time.

"Before your Stardust Warrior is Summoned back to the field, I'll activate my continuous trap, Ghoul Summoner!" Yusei said. "This trap card lets me bring back a Synchro monster in my Graveyard!"

Above both duelists, a portal to the Graveyard opened. Yusei could see his assembled Synchro Warriors standing in a circle, all nodding and putting their hands together. On a peak behind the assembled group, Stardust Dragon silently observed them.

The monster in question ejected from his Graveyard pile courtesy of his duel disk's auto sort feature, but it slid back into the Graveyard as Yusei was about to grab it.

"Too bad, but I predicted you'd try to Special Summon a Synchro monster from your Graveyard after you got hit with Stardust Warrior's effect!" The other Yusei said. "So I'll chain my own trap card to your Ghoul Summoner, the trap card - Provider's Choice!"

Yusei looked up to see the trap in question. It was the man seen on cards like 'Solemn Judgment' and 'Solemn Warning', a mythic Godly figure in robes with long white hair and a matching beard. He was pointing at a tree full of red and orange leaves, lit up by the sun, leading a girl away from a snow covered pine tree on the art of the card. The man's very appearance decreed that a card or a summon was usually negated. Generally the whole 'Solemn' line of cards were counter traps, but this trap was a normal one.

"Provider's Choice lets me target the monster you'll Summon from the Graveyard and choose another appropriate target! And since I have to pick a Synchro monster, I'll leave you with the weakest one in your Graveyard!"

The Provider's Choice trap card flashed and the Synchro Warriors all looked to one another as they were unsure what to do. Then Junk Warrior held out his large Scrap Fist hand and looked up as he began to glow with a purple aura. The other Warriors all turned to Junk Warrior and nodded, the Warriors all placing a hand on Junk Warrior's own. Then Junk Warrior took off in Road Warrior's place as the holographic image vanished from above the field.

Junk Warrior's card slid out to greet Yusei and the static from the green barrier created from Synchro Strike reminded him he still had another play he could make.

"I'm still going to respond to your trap card. I'll chain Ghoul Summoner's other effect to Provider's Choice!" Yusei declared. "I can discard a card to Special Summon another Synchro monster from my Graveyard, but then I'll take damage equal to that monster's attack points! So I'll discard the only card in my hand to bring back Stardust Dragon!"

Yusei discarded a card as a cost and it's image appeared before both duelists, an engine short circuiting as steam flew from the innards of the device.

"But first, the trap I just discarded as a cost was my Limiter Overload! And this trap will now chained to my second activation of Ghoul Summoner! Once Limiter Overload is sent to my Graveyard, it lets me Special Summon a 'Speed Warrior' from my hand, deck, or Graveyard!"

"What?! A Summon from a trap card you just discarded?" Yusei's double asked, surprised. Yusei nodded.

"While your Stardust Warrior may indeed be able to send away a card as important to me as Stardust Dragon, I'll just have to respond with another important card! Now join us – Speed Warrior!"

What Yusei could call his most basic go to monster appeared, skating from side to side in front of his D-Wheel in it's grey bodysuit as it kept pace with the Yusei-Go (2/900/400).

"A card with nine-hundred attack points? That's an important card to you?" The other said with a hint of disbelief. Yusei continued to speak.

"Then Ghoul Summoner's second Special Summon will resolve before Provider's Choice Summons out Junk Warrior! The bond you just claimed to break will now appear before us once again, this time accompanied by even more cards that represent my bonds! Clustering wishes revive the shining star! Take flight again, Stardust Dragon!'"

Yusei placed Stardust Dragon on his duel disk again. The dragon emerged from the trap card and his dragon let out a loud cry, flying above his D-Wheel (8/2500/2000).

"So you re-claimed your bond, though it still pales in comparison to Stardust Warrior's strength. And then you'll take damage equal to it's attack points due to your Ghoul Summoners' downside." The other Yusei pointed out.

"But remember, my Synchro Barrier trap card protects me from any form of damage until the End Phase is over. Nitro Warrior's sacrifice saw to that. And since it's still your End Phase, I'll continue to take no kind of damage until the end of my next turn!" Yusei pointed out.

An arc of lighting shot out from Stardust Dragon, striking Yusei's D-Wheel, yet the emerald barrier that still shone around the Yusei-Go blocked the surge.

The other him stared in disbelief as Yusei drove straight on through the danger without hesitation.

"Now return, Junk Warrior!" Yusei commanded, playing the second Synchro card on his duel disk.

With a grunt, Junk Warrior finished it's voyage from the Graveyard, rising with an upraised fist as it flew to the left of the Yusei-Go, letting out a grunt as it flew next to Stardust Dragon (5/2300/1300).

The other Yusei looked to the field of assembled monsters and had a sincere half-smile on his face for the first time in the duel.

"Impressive. Three Special Summons on my End Phase, chained to Stardust Warrior's effect no less. And on top of that, you dodged the damage from your own trap. As much as I've doubted you, I'd say you've earned this next turn, Yusei." The other him said before a pillar of light erupted behind his D-Wheel.

From the fading pillar, Stardust Warrior rose, arms crossed over it's powerful frame and wings spread out, glistening with blue light. The monster looked down upon the field with a bright yellow gaze as it flew above Yusei's three monsters (10/3000/2500).

"But make no mistake, my Stardust Warrior is the strongest monster in play, and it can stop you from Summoning anything that could rival it in strength. However, you have shown me throughout this duel that you can make a comeback to most any dire situation you are it. I suppose we share that quality regardless of our roots. I look forward to seeing what you do next turn." The other him said as the turn came to an end.

Turn 18: 600/250 , SPC: 6/3

"The other me has no set cards. But at this rate, he might not need them at all" , Yusei thought. That combo he pulled off just to get out of that jam was impressive, but it had taken him everything he had. Yusei took stock of the field as he projected a map of all the cards he'd draw that could help him get over the Accel Synchro monster. There weren't many among them.

Most of the answers he could think of were technical; drawing Junk Synchron would give him access to Armory Arm and Stardust Dragon's protection effect would ensure that Stardust Warrior would be destroyed if it tried to negate any Synchro Summons while Stardust was present. Then there was a slim amount of Speed Spells that he could use, none of which insured victory. Rally's One-Shot Booster was an option, but that was one card out of several. Then there were monsters that would help him stall, yet with the amount of resources the other Yusei had, that seemed like a foolish endeavor.

Then there was Yusei's extensive amount of trap cards to consider. Skill Successor was always good in a pinch, and Scrap-Iron Scarecrow would certainly slow the other down, but in this situation he felt that stalling in any way would get him nowhere. Drawing into a trap card would mean he'd do just that.

His back was against the wall, yet the presence of his two core Synchro monsters and Speed Warrior was more than enough to let Yusei draw for his turn. The sounds of Speed Warrior's stakes striking the air as it dashed along to keep pace with Junk Warrior and Stardust Dragon broke Yusei out of his daze.

"Right. Speed Warrior." Yusei looked to the grey suited monster and blinked. He hadn't considered it this late in the game, but it was another variable.

"I don't know what lies after this duel, but right now this is my reality. My words will only hold value here if I back them up with victory." Yusei looked to his remaining face-down card.

"As it is this set card isn't enough if he's able to achieve the same potential he did during this turn. Bonds united in strength is the only way to show him my way of doing things."

Yusei's gloved fingers rested on the top of his deck.

"For the sake of Satellite, Neo Domino City, and the future that all of us are running towards. . . For Atem and his people . . . For my own path to reveal itself. . . And for my opponent to see this perspective of mine - My cards, give me an answer!"

"Draw!" he exclaimed, pulling off the top card in one swift motion.

What he'd drawn took him by surprise, but he had a hunch it would surprise his other even more.

"With this card, I can-!"

Yusei stopped thinking as he stopped needing to, his mind visualizing a road of light between all the possible cards he could use this turn, connecting and building off of the cards on the other Yusei's field.

His eyes widened at the result that he saw. That road of light gave him a clear path. Yusei opened his eyes, aware of the card he'd need to reach if the duel was to end in his victory.

(Insert 5D's OST: Sound Duel 2: Yusei Battle 2)

"I summon Mono Synchron!"

The level one tuner appeared, this time on his side of the field, squat green body and blaster cannons on each arm at the ready (1/0/0).

The markerless Yusei scoffed. "Mono Synchron, huh? Finally, another Synchron that I recognize. But you shouldn't have a Mono Warrior in your Extra Deck! That card is new in this world."

"That's right – I don't have a copy of Mono Warrior. But I still can tune for a different monster. Mono Synchron's effect! I'll make Speed Warrior a level one monster!" Yusei commanded.

The Synchron let out a beep as it shot Speed Warrior in the back, causing the swift warrior's level to change accordingly (2 → 1/900/400).

"And now I'll tune my now level one Speed Warrior with my level one Mono Synchron!" Yusei stated.

Speed Warrior and Mono Synchron looked to one another, both nodding as the Tuner dispersed into a single emerald ring, flying high above both duelists' speeding craft. Speed Warrior leapt into the air and it's body passed through the ring, the warrior's grey form fading away into a single star. Then the pillar of light blasted out parallel and to the left of Yusei's D-Wheel.

"Clustering wishes call out a new speed's horizon! Become the path it's light shines upon! Synchro Summon! The power of hope, Synchro Tuner – Formula Synchron!"

From the summon, a slick looking robot appeared, who's upper body was that of a formula racer. It drove down the horizontal pillar of light, emerging from the Summon to ride alongside Yusei. Its arms and legs were grey, and it floated alongside the Yusei-Go as the two D-Wheelers finally exited the freeway, returning again to the main roads of the city, isolated from the traffic by the Duel Lane (2/200/1500).

"Synchro Tuner?! You also have a card like that?" The other Yusei asked. His other self frowned from the other D-Wheel. "A Synchro tuner I've never seen . . . Formula Synchron. That means you also can-"

"Formula Synchron's effect lets me draw a card!" Yusei said as he swiftly drew - immediately inserting the new card into the card holder on the right side of his D-Wheel.

"Now it's time! I'll unite these bonds called Synchro Monsters together!" Yusei answered as he stuck his left hand out, spreading each finger in front of him.

"Tuning the level two Synchro Tuner - Formula Synchron with the level eight Synchro monster, Stardust Dragon!"

As he spoke a pink wake of speed appeared before him, just like when he was in the afterworld attempting to use his special power once again. And before that, just like when he was in his own city fighting against the Machine Emperors. Stardust flew silently into the pink wake of energy as Formula Synchron split into two rings that flew in front of Stardust.

"Clustering crystal dreams open the doorway to a new evolution! Become the path it's light shines upon!"

Yusei swung out the blank card from his extra deck.

Then he visualized the droplet of water in his mind's eye. But this time he didn't just hear - he felt the water drop in the pool, and the ripples that were created from it.

The purple wake of speed built up in front of his D-Wheel and then his blank card ejected from his Extra Deck and surged with power as he held it out.

"With this, I'll overcome the limits I imposed on myself once the Crimson Dragon's mark left my arm! Even without the Crimson Dragon, I can reach this power! Bruno, everyone -!"

Yusei swung out the blank card and it's image erupted on the card, the white canvas burning away in an orange flash to reveal the dragon that resided beneath it.

" ACCELL SYNCHROOOOOOOO - ! "

Yusei roared with fervor as the power from three years ago was once again in his fingertips.

Then he vanished as the purple vortex of energy surrounding himself and the material monsters intensified. The other him and the city was gone, as was Junk Warrior for that matter. Stardust Dragon and Formula Synchron vanished, energies pooling together. A glowing white object emerged from the collision, shooting far ahead of him and vanishing from sight despite the tremendous speed he'd now attained.

All Yusei could see now was a black starry void, and though he was still riding on his D-Wheel, he felt entirely weightless as though he was the wind itself. Yusei heard familiar cry as a large monster descended, shining its light and reflection on the crimson D-wheel as it got nearer.

"Shooting Star Dragon!" Yusei exclaimed with joy as his power was in reach once again.

/

He was still driving forward in the purple wake despite the lack of a road. Shooting Star Dragon was in the distance, and Yusei was nearing it at light speed. The dragon flew beside him and let out a wail that was part sadness that it had been away for so long, and part joy that finally they were united again.

The Accel Synchro monster was as impressive as he'd remembered. Streamlined yet still muscular, bulky arms and legs balancing out a slim waist and a long neck and tail. Glowing white armor adorned the dragon, only exposing a black stomach, thighs and neck. Two jet-like wings kept the monster flying. Finally, a blue aura emitted from the monster's body.

"I told you you could do it. That power lies with you, not with the Crimson Dragon." Harpie Lady's voice was heard once again.

Yusei was surprised for a moment feeling isolated in the void. His blue eyes fell on the card he'd drawn and then the voice's presence made sense.

"Thank you." He said, looking at the card in question that Mai had loaned him. "You showed me that it lies in the winds that are in my heart."

Airo appeared beside him in a translucent state, the red-haired Harpie Lady keeping up with him despite his high speeds.

He looked from the Harpie Lady card in his holder tray to Shooting Star Dragon.

"I only arrived at this answer from you showing me my limits – both the ones I have as a person and the ones I placed on myself, Airo." Yusei said.

"Well I'll be watching. Show that other you what makes you different from him. Shooting Star Dragon . . . Yusei, I look forward to seeing this next turn." The Harpie said, waving with her right talon before she vanished.

Then it was just Yusei and his evolved ace monster.

"Let's go, Shooting Star!" Yusei said, his Synchro dragon roaring in agreement, the booming echo causing him to rattle in the seat of his D-Wheel.

Yusei looked up to the colossal dragon that glowed a constant neon blue from it's Accel Synchro Summon, the dragon falling slightly behind him so that he could lead it.

A great light appeared before the two of them and Yusei erupted from the void, back in the city, as his other self now had to take his turn moving to the side as the Yusei-Go flew briefly from it's exit. The D-Wheel landed and Yusei announced his Accel Synchro monster's arrival as it emerged and flew ahead with great speed.

"Be born - Shooting Star Dragon!" Yusei exclaimed, holding the card high before playing it as his ace from the WRGPX descended from the portal of subspace with another quaking roar (10/3300/2500).

The other Yusei was stunned as he looked at the name and attack power of Shooting Star Dragon - displayed on the inside of his visor. His other was not amused, narrowing his eyes at the monster's stats on his display as the Accel Synchro monster landed, eyeing Stardust Warrior.

"Shooting Star Dragon? So you've discovered your own Accel Synchro then. . . and you even were able to scrape enough strength from uniting those bonds to overcome Stardust Warrior's attack power! Impressive."

"Yusei! You spoke of your frustration when Jack said your role was not as a Duelist?" Yusei yelled at his other, feeling strange shouting his own name out.

"Well now see that one is able to reach these heights, regardless of where they're from!" He finished.

The other him closed his eyes for just a moment and smiled knowingly.

"But it seems you didn't learn from the last turn from your Stardust Dragon's destruction! Even if it's an evolved Stardust Dragon, your Shooting Star Dragon still can't escape Stardust Warrior's effect! Even if you overcome your own potential, I'll still outshine you with mine! Stardust Warrior's effect activates! Suppression Sanctions!"

Stardust Warrior faded into a glittering form of light as it flew at Shooting Star Dragon, the latter still in the process of being Summoned.

"Since you would Special Summon a monster, I can tribute Stardust Warrior to negate that Summon and destroy it!" The other Yusei said.

Stardust Warrior matched speeds with Shooting Star Dragon as it struck the bulky dragon with a two-fisted hammer blow. Shooting Star Dragon fell to the track behind both duelists as Stardust Warrior flew down to finish the job.

"You may destroy it through this effect, but this Shooting Star Dragon isn't just for show! It won't go down without a fight! Fight back, Shooting Star!" Yusei encouraged.

Shooting Star Dragon followed through with a savage head-butt that sent Stardust Warrior reeling backwards in shock, backing into a nearby skyscraper, the structure taking no damage from the impact of the Solid Vision.

Shooting Star Dragon shattered, still destroyed from the Summon negation effect, yet Stardust Warrior's body still was in a position of surprise, head and neck bent backwards and limbs in disarray as it scattered into a shower of stardust, vanishing from the field.

"And now what can you do? The card you strove so hard to summon is gone, as is the monster representing your soul – Stardust Dragon. All of those bonds were wasted trying to overpower my strength!" His other said.

"Are you sure about that?" Yusei responded. "Where I'm seated, the monster that represents my soul is still right here!"

"What?" His other asked, looking frantically around to see Shooting Star Dragon. Howver, the Accel Synchro was still in the Graveyard. The other Yusei's eyes widened when he saw just what monster Yusei referred to.

Junk Warrior hovering silently in place – keeping pace with Yusei's D-wheel as it's white scarf flapped in the wind (5/2300/1300).

(Insert 5D's OST: Hopeless Battle (Unreleased)

Yusei looked up to his remaining monster. "Since the start of this turn, my end goal was never a decisive match between our biggest Synchro monsters. It was just to give Junk Warrior a clear shot at your life points! I knew that you'd want to negate whatever monster I Summoned next once I saw your Stardust Warrior's effect! And the only thing I could think of to force that effect was summoning a bigger monster! Right now you have no monsters or set cards on your field. Junk Warrior can wipe you out in a single attack!"

"I proceed to the Battle Phase! Now go, Junk Warrior! Direct attack!"

Junk Warrior's eyes ignited with red as it blasted off, fist drawn back.

"Are you so sure about that?!" The other Yusei retorted. "From my Graveyard, Stardust Synchron's effect activates! If I control no monsters, by removing it from the game, I can special summon a 'Stardust' Synchro monster from my Graveyard! Revive now, Stardust Warrior!"

"What?!" Yusei breathed in shock as the bulky Stardust monster revived as a green pillar of light burst through the ground, knocking Junk Warrior backwards.

The light faded, revealing a cloud of stardust coalescing into the bulky white armor of the Accel Synchro Warrior. Once again, it took a powerful stance, crossing it's arms as it looked down on Junk Warrior (10/3000/2500).

"Too bad, but your Junk Warrior just won't do against the strongest Synchro warrior I possess!" The other Yusei said.

Yusei held out an arm. "Then this will have to do! Trap, activate! Synchro Baton!"

His final trap card sprang up – depicting a Dewloran, Tiger Prince of the Ice Barrier powered up by Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier and Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier on its art.

"Not bad, using a trap card to power up Junk Warrior, but I'm afraid it's not enough!" The other Yusei declared. "I discard Rush Warrior in my hand to double Stardust Warrior's current attack points."

Stardust Warrior's wings spread open as it's outline glowed with reverent blue flames (3000 x 2 → 6000).

"Six-thousand attack points again?!" Yusei exclaimed, surprised.

"Yes! This is the power of my Accel Synchro – boosted by Rush Warrior, this is the peak of my power! With this, I'll surpass you, even if you've discovered your own Accel Synchro!" His other declared.

The blazing white fist of Stardust Warrior collided with Junk Warrior's own, both Synchros trying to out muscle the other. Two pairs of thrusters ignited as the strain from the struggle was enough for both monsters to waver.

Yet Stardust Warrior won out, shoving Junk Warrior away with a powerful push of it's arm and sending it falling into the street below, crashing into the pavement. Junk Warrior's right arm had completely shattered, loose wires and jagged metal sparking from what remained of the stump.

"And with that, this Duel's over." The other Yusei said, but then stopped as Yusei's life points were still at a very low number, yet still hadn't fallen at all (250).

Then he looked over to Synchro Baton, which was still active on the field. As the card art demonstrated, the ghost of Formula Synchron appeared above Yusei and flew down from the lofty roads to the lower streets into Junk Warrior, powering him up slightly (2300 + 600 = 2900).

Junk Warrior rose, clutching the side of it's chest where Stardust Warrior's fist had made an impact. It's left arm held the area together while it stood weakly on it's skates for feet, still managing to rise. Then, the ghost of Shooting Star Dragon appeared behind Junk Warrior, letting out a loud cry as it flew into the other Synchro's back (2900 + 600 = 3500).

"Why isn't it gone? Why aren't your life points zero?" The other him asked.

"Synchro Baton doesn't just give Junk Warrior six hundred attack points for the monsters I Synchro summoned this turn." Yusei said.

The spectral forms of Drill Warrior and Road Warrior appeared next to Junk Warrior, pulling the other warrior off of the ground. Then they vanished as Junk Warrior managed to go from a hover to slowly taking off with it's boosters (3500 + 1200 = 4700).

"Wait, it's still getting stronger?!" The other Yusei observed.

Yusei opted to let his actions rather than his words speak for him, as the ghosts of Nitro and Turbo Warrior appeared beside him. Yusei turned the Yusei-Go and drove off of the winding track of the road, falling to the next lowest level as both he and the images of his warriors got closer to where Junk Warrior was.

Then he drove his D-Wheel off of the road as the sun shone down on him. Junk Warrior rose to meet him as Yusei landed onto an empty street, veering to the left to re-join his other.

Junk Warrior flew straight up into the air as Nitro Warrior and Turbo Warrior flew in formation with it, Stardust Dragon appearing behind them as they all flew into Junk Warrior, it's eyes shining a brilliant red. (4700 + 1800 = 6500).

The other Yusei gasped as Junk Warrior's right arm completely regenerated - it's fist shone with light from all of the absorbed Synchro monsters.

Junk Warrior and Stardust Warrior passed one another, both boosting upwards and turning to lunge for a killing blow.

"With that trap – you were able to combine all of their power-!"

" - Into one source! The monster who will connect the bonds together! Your combos to double Stardust Warrior's attack points may be a quick way to power, but it's also your limitation! It's always a set number! By connecting all of my Synchro monsters with Junk Warrior, I can create a greater force!" Yusei said as he looked up to Junk Warrior.

Junk Warrior and Stardust Warrior strafed by one another, turning to lunge and exchange blows once again. This time this were more evenly matched as Stardust Warrior had to exert itself just to keep up.

They broke apart again as Junk Warrior boosted even higher in the air, far into the sky. Stardust Warrior followed, a trail of shimmering light in it's wake.

"Even if called useless trash, we of Satellite can always band together to become stronger. But the same is true of anyone – no matter where they come from. If you won't listen to my words as a resident of Satellite, listen to my words as a Duelist!"

"Junk Warrior! Scrap Over-Fist!" Yusei commanded.

The purple glow around Junk Warrior's arm expanded until it was a massive purple fist itself larger than the monster it was connected to. Junk Warrior raised its arm back before slamming it down onto Stardust Warrior. The much larger holographic fist slammed into its form and Stardust Warrior shattered, its' afterimage breaking apart into yellow fragments of light.

The other Yusei grunted as the shockwave from the attack alone was enough to end the duel (Yusei (TOPS) 400 → 0).

Both D-Wheels skidded to a halt as the duel finished, the two Yuseis exhausted from the long match. Junk Warrior faded as they each caught their breath.

No one spoke for a moment as each one removed their helmet, the black and orange-golden hair of each head perking up.

"Well . . . you certainly won. I suppose . . . that means I should hear you out." The other Yusei said and was surprised as the him from Satellite extended a fist for him to bump with his own.

"That duel . . . was . . . magnificent!" Yusei said, his self from the Tops a bit stunned from Yusei's outburst of excitement beneath his usual stoic features.

He held out his hand and the other from the Tops shook it after a moment of contemplation.

"I see you are indeed who you say you are. The Duel would not lead me astray to the core of your character. Then there is no more reason to be hostile." He paused and put his helmet back on, checking something on the display.

It took a moment and Yusei took the time to appreciate that for once in this dimension he didn't feel on edge.

"Now - come with me. I have something you'll want to see." The other him said as he started his crimson machine again, beckoning Yusei to follow him.

/

And there it is. Those past three chapters' worth of Duel were sitting on my computer for far too long as I kept going with Kindred Spirits Part II, wondering when the appropriate place for them would be. As it stands I feel they fit well. I wanted to give Yusei an extremely close and tense Duel and figured that another version of himself would work nicely as an opponent considering how 5D's chickened out with Z-ONE being who he was. Add on a new cast of Synchro Warriors for pre-existing Synchrons and that sweet, sweet Stardust Warrior shown off in a commercial during the airtime of ARC-V and this story bit practically wrote itself.

Made up cards

Halberd Warrior

2/300/500

EARTH/Warrior/Effect

Once per turn, you can equip this card to a face up Synchro monster with 'Warrior' it its card name you control, OR unequip it to Special Summon this card. While equipped, the equipped monster gains 500 ATK. Once per turn while equipped, you can target a card your opponent controls and destroy it. If you do, your opponent takes 500 points of effect damage. If the equipped monster would be destroyed by an opponent's card, or targeted, you can destroy this card instead.

Description: A lanky warrior with axe blades on its shoulders and shins. It has bare rods for a body and limbs, and an anvil shaped head with a single green mono-eye in the center. When transformed, it is a wicked, double sided battle axe.

Effect name: "Halberd Change!"

Stardust Synchron

2/300/800

WIND/Dragon/Effect

If you control exactly one face-up Synchro monster, you can treat this face-up card as a Synchro Tuner, until the End Phase.

(Quick effect) If you control no monsters, by removing this from the game, you can special summon a 'Stardust' Synchro monster from your Graveyard. You can only use each effect of 'Stardust Synchron' once per turn, and only once that turn.

Description: A compact mechanical creature bearing a slight resemblance to Stardust Dragon both in color and shape. Like all the other Synchrons, it is squat and cartoonish.

Synchro Drive – Normal Spell Card

Card Description: Hyper Warrior's body igniting in white flames with a green aura as the spirit of Unknown Warrior lingers behind it.

Effect: Target a face-up monster you control and a Synchro monster in your GY. The face-up monster gains ATK equal to that of the Synchro monster in your GY, until the End Phase. If the face-up monster you control is a Synchro monster, it inflicts piercing damage until the End Phase.

Provider's Choice – Normal Trap Card

Card Description: The man seen on cards like 'Solemn Judgment' and 'Solemn Warning', a mythic Godly figure in robes with long white hair and a matching beard. He was pointing at a tree full of red and orange leaves, lit up by the sun, leading a girl away from a snow covered pine tree.

Effect: Activate only if your opponent would Special Summon a monster(s) from their Graveyard. Select another appropriate target for your opponent to summon. If a 'Solemn' counter trap card is in your Graveyard, apply the following effect: This card is treated as a counter trap card. Also, banish the monster(s) your opponent would summon.

*Potential scripting errors

Any trap card that says 'Once per turn you can . . . ' generally is referring to use only on the player's turn despite being a trap card. Something like Ghoul Summoner might not be able to work the way Yusei used it here due to this.

Also Speed Warrior's Summon from Limiter Overload: Generally cards send to the Graveyard can miss the timing if text is written on the card in a certain way. For instance 'if this card is sent' has a different interpretation than 'when this card is sent'. 'If' has a looser interpretation of activating whereas 'when' usually means ithas to be the last effect that happens when resolving a chain. Yu-Gi-Oh! is confusing and I don't get paid to write this so if the errors seriously effect game-play here egregiously enough to take you out of the story, please let me know and I'll change it if I get a solution that isn't just a made-up card.

Also for Stardust Dragon, I'm going with the anime effect as in both 5D's proper and Bonds Beyond Time. Stardust Dragon was able to use it's Victim Sanctuary effect and revive even though it wasn't properly Synchro Summoned (in the case of Bonds Beyond Time, and Jack mentioned in early 5D's that using The End of Storm was him trying to re-summon Stardust Dragon on his side of the field since he was it's controller at the start of the duel – even though in Bonds Beyond Time that's contradicted because Stardust Dragon revived on the protagonists' side of the field despite Paradox being it's original controller).

In any case the anime shows Stardust Dragon Special Summoning itself in ways that would not naturally occur in the real life card game and I'm sticking with the anime version of Stardust's effect for now and future clarification.

Also I would like to thank cybermage303 for your review of the entire story thus far. I appreciate the time it took both to read up to this point and provide a fitting review.